News

Mrs Mills solves all your problems

What is the etiquette for speaking to other parents when dropping off children at school? My children began school this September, and I imagined it would be a friendly time, chatting and smiling to other parents. Instead, I have found that I need to develop a superior, glazed expression and not make eye contact with anyone.

TJR, Lincolnshire

So many conversations between mothers in the school playground go like this: “I’ve got to speak to the headmaster again. My daughter Sienna just isn’t being stretched in that class. You don’t know how lucky you are with your Sarah. I wish Sienna could just fit in like that, but she needs to be put up a year for her maths alone, and her grade-5 violin piece reduced the examiner to tears, apparently...” So everyone avoids eye contact and develops a detached, glazed expression.